BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Suggested Reading: Numbers 32
(click scripture link to read online)
The beach and distant ruins of Caesarea Maritima.
Key Verse: Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sins will find you out.
Two messages grip my mind as I read this chapter. The first has to do with a statement my mother drummed into me when I was a boy. She died when I was 12, and her warnings were reinforced as I would think about her. Many times she said, “David, be sure your sins will find you out.” She never gave a Bible reference, but I was afraid to sin, and I never could cover it up when I did sin (click here for the stolen apple story from an earlier blog). Here’s her source in Numbers 32:23b. The other message is from Genesis 4:9b, where Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The tribes who wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan promised Moses that they would be their brothers’ keepers. Our elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, has promised to be our Keeper (Psalm 121:4 & Jude 1:24).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, please keep using Your Word to keep me living right. Thank You for my mother drilling Scripture in to me so deeply that Your Word has never been extracted from my innermost being. Help me in my commitment to help keep my brothers and sisters from harm, from sin, and from Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I witnessed the truth of Mother’s words about sin finding me out after my Father returned from overseas, where he spent six years during the Second World War. He had a “razor strap.” For the younger generation, that was not a razor, it was the leather belt on which he would run his straight razor back and forth until it was sharp. He would lather up his face with soap, and then proceed to move the sharpened blade back and forth across his face and neck. It was an awesome sight for an 8 year old who had been raised for 6 years by 3 women…mother and two older sisters (Willa, 8 years older, and Elaine, 6 years older). Believe me, it wasn’t the razor which made it scary when my sin found me out; it was the leather strap. I only remember getting the strap on each of my two hands once. That was enough. I told myself, “never again!” It was not only legal to discipline in this way, but in the government, the Department of Education supplied every teacher with a strap for this very purpose. I’m a witness to the fact that miracles in changed behaviour resulted immediately!
Yours for behaviour improvement in us all,
David
Great story David. It kind of reminds me of a verse in Job 4:8 “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it”. In a slightly different light, I like Charles Stanley’s words when he says “you reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow”. This principle really plays itself out in Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life”.
Sin will always find us out because we are conscious of our behaviour. This can lead to futile and considerable efforts towards denial (minimizing, blaming, justifying and so forth). Behaviours which are all self defeating, until we acknowledge and confess our actions. I am not a fan of corporal punishment. I see the “rod” in Proverbs 13:24 as a sheppards rod, guiding the sheep, poking here and there, but not striking.
I am excited to finally be the first to leave a reply. Welcome home to all of you. Thankyou again for this Blogg. I grew up in a christian home but I have never read the Bible through. This time I know I will. I am learning so much and it is motivating me to study further. ….Lorna
OOPS I thought I was the first.
Unfortunately, what comes to mind is misinterpretation of scripture. I think of a church in the States that used the ‘rod’ literally to whip the children during Sunday services, thinking it would benefit their upbringing. I will google this and provide a link.
Hi David, l couldn’t help but think how our leaders need our prayers everyday for direction for their countries. If Reuben and Gad had not done things as directed and approved by Moses under God,look at the mess it would have made! The whole of the Children of Israel would be left wandering around in the wilderness like their fathers in their discouragement.Thank the Lord we are living in a time of Amazing Grace but even so we too can feel the effects of unwise leadership when wrong decisions are made.No wonder God has told us to pray for our Leaders!
Dear David…glad your back safe and sound…Linda W. gave me your (Hello)as we continue to Pray for each other….Our Lord is Awesome
I remember only too well the strap at the convent i went too….yikes…but it did make us sit up straight and pay attention….
thanks for sharing your wonderful stories…oh how things have changed…Thank you Lord in your Wisdom …you have each one of us born in the right year for your Glory…as we focus on the Kingdom Work in our senior years….( well me anyway ) Time is short and i thank you David for the time you give to this blog and everyone the Lord puts in your path daily…
Enjoy your weekend and your sunday at church……xo
In all sincerity I hope that you are in no way condoning the use of a leather strap against a child, regardless of their ‘sin’. As a Pastor who has worked in hospital wards with adults who have attempted suicide, I have heard versions of what you said over and over. A child’s skin is just as sensitive as an adults, yet we would never
permit a husband for instance, using such a device upon his wife. No – he would be charged and probably convicted. So too the Holy Spirit is there to convict and guide parents in a Godly upbringing of their children. I am not saying that discipline is not necessary – but it does not have to involve abuse. I was taught that the word disciple comes from a root word which means “to sit at the feet of and learn”. I encourage parents to read their bibles and the publications of Godly men and women like Dr. Sears and Dr. Campbell who wrote “How to Really Love Your Child”
Sometimes love does mean “saying you’re sorry”. God Bless you David.
I, too, Ellen, struggle with the concept of ‘physical discipline’, which is abuse, and can leave damaging, long lasting effects. Discipline can be taught with loving communication and guidance. Jesus was our example of that. Those of us who have experienced abuse, can learn to forgive, through love, by developing a strong relationship with Jesus.